James Franco wins but skips Critics' Choice Awards

James Franco won the best actor in a comedy award Thursday night at the Critics' Choice Awards for his role in "The D...

Posted: Jan 12, 2018 4:15 PM

Updated: Jan 12, 2018 4:15 PM

James Franco won the best actor in a comedy award Thursday night at the Critics' Choice Awards for his role in "The Disaster Artist," but he wasn't there to receive it.

The actor is in the midst of controversy after several women accused him of sexual misconduct in postings on social media.

Franco addressed the allegations on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers" this week.

"I have my own side of this story, but I believe in these people that have been underrepresented getting their stories out enough that I will hold back things that I could say just because I believe in it that much," he told Meyers.

Hours after his appearance Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times published a story in which five women who had worked with Franco alleged that they experienced inappropriate and sometimes sexually exploitative behavior by him.

Dusome told the publication she took an acting class with Franco in 2012 at Playhouse West in North Hollywood, California.

She and fellow student Natalie Chmiel alleged that they experienced "an unprofessional and hostile shoot at a strip club," while working on what they believed to be an art film or a commercial by Franco.

"I felt like I was selected for something based on my hard work and my merit, and when I realized it was because I have nice [breasts], it was pretty clear that was not the case," Dusome said. "I don't think he started teaching with bad intentions, but he went down a bad path and damaged a lot of people in the process."

CNN has reached out to the women but not confirmed their accounts. When contacted by CNN, a representative for Dusome declined to offer further comment.

Franco's attorney, Michael Plonsker, disputed the women's allegations to The Times and did not respond to CNN's request for comment.

When contacted by CNN, a spokesperson for Franco pointed to the actor's comments on the late-night shows and provided statements from some of his supporters.

Projects with women at the forefront also won on Thursday night.

HBO's "Big Little Lies" earned four trophies, including best limited series and best actress in a movie made for TV or limited series for Nicole Kidman.

The drama's co-stars, Alexander Skarsg-rd and Laura Dern, were named best supporting actor and best supporting actress in a limited series.

Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale" won best drama series, as well as best actress in a drama for Elisabeth Moss and best supporting actress for Ann Dowd.

Amazon's "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" took home best comedy series and best actress in a comedy series for star Rachel Brosnahan.

"The Shape of Water," was the most nominated film of the evening and won four categories, including best picture and best director for Guillermo del Toro.